Ashes and Crowns
g streets she knew. The house stood like a fortress of wealth and secrets, its marble pillars gleaming under the afternoon sun. The gard
. "You have to be strong," he told Eliana, who sat gripping her co
nights dreaming of this moment-imagining reunions filled with hugs, apo
e opens the door, her attire is traditional, with a black dress, white apron, and a matching cap neatly placed
y, walking with a quiet confidence, her heels clicking softly on the floor. Her eyes are cast downward
ile she leaves. A tall woman in a white tailored dress is seated, her dark hair pulled int
his voice steady but carry
. Benson. What a surprise." Her gaze shifted to Eliana, l
took a tentative step forwar
r eyes narrowing. "You're not
it Eliana l
el, "How can you say that
ly at him "And how d
omfort "Look, if I had an option I wouldn't bring her here but her fathers died
stands "If she's to stay her then she
ut the air felt cold and oppressive. Mirabel's voice was clipped and distant as she gave instru
abel emphasized sh
n squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, your
wed were a nightmar
lnerability and preyed on it mercilessly. Vanessa would shove her into c
p tongue, took every chance to humilia
wing the bitterness. But each insult, each sh
arkness, a small
ant, with eyes full of kindness and curiosity. One afternoon, Elian
iled softly. "You're n
surprised. "Wh
so innocent. You don't a
a small laugh
ts a flower in it "I really like you
ide Eliana-a fragile hope that maybe, just maybe, she coul
s and sneers, Eliana sat alone by the kitchen hearth
ted to be invisible and not utter a word about me to anyone, do you
Why did you leave me?" she whispered, v
e things are better left forg
ced through E
pillow, swallowing her sobs. Her mother was a stranger-a queen of shadows who ru
those shadows and into the light. One day, she would claim